Trending 
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged the Cuban government to release over 700 political prisoners, renewing Washington’s criticism of Havana’s human rights record.
Rubio made the call on Saturday while confirming the arrival in the United States of prominent Cuban dissident artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, who had spent five years in prison before travelling to Miami.
In a statement, the US Secretary of State described the detainees as individuals who had been unjustly imprisoned by the Cuban authorities because of their political beliefs or activism. He said the United States remained committed to supporting those seeking greater political freedom and respect for human rights in Cuba.
Rubio also appealed to the international community to take a firmer position against what he described as continued human rights abuses by the Cuban government. According to him, governments around the world should no longer ignore allegations of repression and should instead join the United States in demanding the release of political detainees.
He argued that sustained international pressure is necessary to encourage meaningful reforms and improve the protection of fundamental rights in Cuba.
The latest appeal comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Cuba’s treatment of political activists and government critics, with human rights organisations continuing to raise concerns over arrests, detentions and restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in the country.
